Comments on: The music teacher and the teenage lesbian

By: Waterloo Road: how much protection does a 17-year-old need? | Indigo Jo Blogs

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 22:05:23 +0000

[…] an earlier case in which a young female music teacher was jailed for carrying on an affair with a female pupil, […]

By: Safiya Outlines

Safiya Outlines — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:02:31 +0000

Salaam Alaikum,

I do feel 15 months in prison and being banned for working with children for life are very harsh punishments for what appears to be a consensual relationship. Losing her job would have been sufficient punishment.

By: Organica

Organica — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:27:55 +0000

I see where you are coming from but the teacher is the adult. Teenagers can make decision—they do everyday—but who says these decisions or rash or unregrettable?

We raise our teens as children, so let us account them as so!

By: s.ali

s.ali — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:47:28 +0000

While I agree teenagers are not innocent! i do feel that sex is shoved in their faces these days by the wider Media - that I feel sorry for.

By: Ikram Kurdi

Ikram Kurdi — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:05:51 +0000

Good post, I agree with you.

By: Codf1977

Codf1977 — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:47:12 +0000

This is a surprise, another article that I can broadly agree with you on. But first I must condemn you for your line "For obvious reasons, I don’t approve of homosexuality." – Firstly, think for your self don’t let your “religion” (be that Cathlicism or Islam) dictate your position on anything. Secondly NO ONE that includes me, you or any of your readers should take that line – it is Homophobic in a free sociality no one should be concerned what any one does in the privacy of their own bedroom as long as it is between consenting adults. That brings me on to your main point which I do agree with. You are right to say that this was a technical breach of the law but when I read the news reports, I was also forced to ask, was this prosecution in the public interest, and am inclined to say it was not. As you point out a line has to be drawn in the sand at some point and at the moment it is aged 16 (I disagree with the need to have an older age when one party in a position of trust) and on balance that age should probably be kept, however I think it would be better if prosecutions involving those aged between 14 and 16 were not taken up when the underage party either actively sought out the sexual contact (as in this case) or was an equal in wishing that it took place.